Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-11-12

AN ls-KARAT
DR. Cox and his Matrimonial Ca
reer-Cold Plzen.
Eddy Co. New Era.
Many citizens of the Upper James
River Valley will remember a doctor
named ]. Penham Cox who was estab-
llshed at Sykeston during the year 1884,
and who left at the urgent invitation of
the citizens after the suspicious death of
a lady of that place who was under his
medical charge. The St. Paul Globe of
Monday gives ar account of his career,
which for professional and social infamy
is as black as pen has ever pictured from
the realities of life. Cox was at one time
postmaster at Sykeston, and the Globe
account will consequently have interest
for our readers. We reproduce it:
EAU CLAIRE, Oct. 3l.-Dr. Joseph P.
Cox, OF Hayward, Wisconsin, against
whom Mary G. Cox (nee Pealock) of St.
Paul, claiming to be his legal wife, COM
menced action at St. Paul Saturday for
divorce on the ground of adul,ry, is
very well known here, and his career is
seldom paralleled, as learned from him
self, his associates and court records.
He is about thirty-five years old and
fairly good looking. He came to this
city from St. Paul in April, 1885, and be.
came connected with the American
Hospital Aid association. Jan. 3, 1886,
he was arrested here and taken to St.
Paul, to answer the accusation of the
Young lady who now brings suit for di.
vorce, and who then charged him with
betraying her. After being taken to St.
Paul, DR.. Cox, to settle the action, mar
ried the young lady, who is a daughter
OF a well-to.do German citizen of St.
Paul, then in the restaurant business.
The marriage ceremony was performed
Jan. 4, and Dr.. Cox soon afterward re.
turned alone to Eau Claire.
During the following summer he be.
came intimate with the family of Charles
L. Strickland, a bookeeper of middle
age residing on the West side, and, as a
result of the acquaintance, DR. Cox was
accused by MI. Strickland and his daugh-
ter of taking unfair advantage Of the
latter's affections by going through
q deceptive and illegal form of
the marriage ceremony with the
young lamp. MI. Strickland sup
posed for some time that his daugh-
ter was really legally married to DR.. Cox.
A result of the union was a child, who,
1t is claimed, was sent to Hayward by
DR.. Cox and placed in the charge of a
Mrs. Smalk. About two months ago
the child was taken sick, and was atten-
ded by DR.. Cox, but died. In the mean
time Miss Strickland and her father sus.
pecting something wrong about the
marriage, had importuned DR.. Cox for
explanations, but he showed a marriage
certificate which Mr. Strickland claims,
was signed with the name of local cler-
gyman. who told other parties that no
such parties were ever married by him.
Miss Strickland and Dr.. Cox finally par
ted and the lady went to Canada, where
she is now said to be living. DR. Cox. it
is alleged, supported her for some time.
DR.. Cox left Eau Claire in September,
1886, and went to Hayward, q small
town in the pine wilderness of Sawyer
county. Here he started and operated
a woodmen's hospital. Some months
ago at Hayward he married a Miss
Townsend. EARLY last summer Mrs. Cox
(nee Miss Pealock) Of St. Paul, instituted
at Hayward an action aginst DR.. Cox,
for bigamy before Justice Bunker. The
st Paul lady had heard of DR.. Cox's es.
capades and was after revenge. lie
was balled out, and the trial is to take
place at Hayward the last Tuesday in
November. 1t is said DR.. Cox has a
strong grip in Hayward, and that he
and some of the authorities are great
friends. The local paper suppressed
the affair DR.. Cox came originally
from Oconto, a Northern Wisconsin
town and he has told his associates here
great stories of his youthful exploits
with women. His mother resides at
Oconto, and his father, on the invalid
list of a benevolent society, lives in Flor
ida. 1t is alleged that DR.. Cox was first
married at oconto, his wife dying in
childbirth from all overdose of a mar.
cote, and that he was subsequently
married in Sykeston, OAK, before going
to st. Paul. He was a student in Mil.
waukee, and is said to have at one time
studied for the priesthood.
Greatly Excited.
Not q few of the citizens IF Devils T.aEa